’15GB now N6k, 1.5TB N240k’ – Anger as MTN hikes data prices by 200%

There is growing outrage among MTN Nigeria users after the telecom giant announced a staggering 200% increase in its data prices.

The hike has sparked widespread frustration, with many customers expressing their dissatisfaction over the significant impact on their internet access and budgets.

The telecom firm also confirmed the development in a response shared on its X (formerly Twitter).

The company wrote: “Y’ello! Thanks for stopping by, We apologise for any inconvenience and delayed Response. A price increase has been implemented to enhance our services and serve you better, which is why you are seeing the updated amount.”

The Witness had reported that the  Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) approved a tariff increase for telecommunications companies, citing prevailing market conditions.

Reuben Mouka, the commission’s spokesperson, announced the decision shared in January, explaining that the approval aligns with the NCC’s regulatory powers under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

According to Mouka, the adjustment allows a maximum increase of 50 per cent on current tariffs, a compromise from the over 100 per cent hike initially requested by some network operators.

“The adjustment, capped at a maximum of 50 per cent of current tariffs, though lower than the over 100 per cent requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability,” Mouka stated.

In compliance with this approval, MTN has increased the cost of data bundles by about 200%.

According to the new pricing structure, the 15GB data bundle, which previously cost N2,000, now costs N6,000. Similarly, the 1.5TB plan has increased from N150,000 to N240,000.

Other affected plans include; the 100GB bundle, which now costs N25,000 for 90GB, up from the previous price of N20,000 for 100GB. The 600GB bundle has also increased from N75,000 to N120,000 for 480GB.

The price hike has sparked concerns among subscribers, who are already grappling with the economic challenges in the country.

Many have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the new prices, calling on the company to reconsider the increase.

An X user, Khan wrote: “I think it’s high time we boycotted MTN. Their network is terrible, and their data plans are a rip-off. the 15GB package doesn’t even last three days. During the protest, they deliberately sabotaged their own network to prevent it from happening.”

Another user, Silva wrote: “Nigeria is a very difficult place to live in honestly. MTN waking up one day to increase their weekly 15gb data from 2k to 6k without prior warning is textbook insanity. That’s 24k in a month, almost the minimum wage of the country on data, bruh, this is hell.”

Another Nigerian user on X, @Atandalukman_ wrote, ”300% increase is a lot fr. I will take it as a glitch for now sha cos wtf?”

@neefenawti shared a dissent opinion. To him, the network providers including MTN Nigeria could not be blamed for the development, stating President Bola Tinubu had earlier disclosed he was not interested in price control.

He wrote, ”I won’t even blame MTN. In a country where the president said he does not believe in price control, what do you expect will happen?? The government is out there to watch people plunge further into poverty. They want to reduce the public’s purchasing power so you will not have the means to fight back against a government that puts people in sufferness. We just dey start.”

@Ola___ife said with this development, ”So no hope for us wey dey do 2.5g ”

@Palermo_seun questioned the Telco for increasing the plan by 300%, he wrote, ”This is too much now.”

For @Dansuki1122, the recent development from MTN and possibly others will have an adverse effect on remote workers in the country. The X user wrote, ”How will remote workers survive now?

“How will Nigerian creators who pay for X sub and still subscribe MTN and later get peanut survive.”

Another user, Silva wrote: “Nigeria is a very difficult place to live in honestly. MTN waking up one day to increase their weekly 15gb data from 2k to 6k without prior warning is textbook insanity. That’s 24k in a month, almost the minimum wage of the country on data, bruh, this is hell.”

Another Nigerian user on X, @Atandalukman_ wrote, ”300% increase is a lot fr. I will take it as a glitch for now sha cos wtf?”

@neefenawti shared a dissent opinion. To him, the network providers including MTN Nigeria could not be blamed for the development, stating President Bola Tinubu had earlier disclosed he was not interested in price control.